Which Arizona Schools Have Dental Hygienist Programs?

If you are thinking about a career in dental hygiene, you will find several training programs to choose from in Arizona. All of these programs offer hands-on experience and classroom training.

What You Need to Know

Earning an associate's or bachelor's degree could prepare you to work as a dental hygienist. You could complete the associate's program in about two years, while a bachelor's program would take four years of study. Both programs include general education classes in the requirements.

Dental Hygiene Associate's Degree Programs in Arizona

Mesa Community College

The dental hygiene associate's degree program is offered at Mesa Community College's Red Mountain Campus. It includes lectures, laboratory courses and clinical experiences in a dental setting. You'll learn about dental radiography, dental hygiene, periodontics and anesthesia. Upon graduation, you'll be ready to take the written and clinical exams required for licensure.

• Program Name: Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 4 semesters (40-44.5 credit hours, depending on high school biology background)
• Tuition and Fees: $2,070 per year for residents; $7,854 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Fingerprint clearance card; must have at least 40 hours observation in the dental field; prerequisite general education and science courses
• Admission Requirements: Continuous CPR healthcare provider certification; adequate physical and vision examination; current immunizations and hepatitis B vaccine; background screening
• School Type: 2-year, public; around 20,387 students (all undergraduate)

Mohave Community College

Mohave Community College offers programs to prepare you for immediate employment in your chosen field or for transfer to a 4-year college. The dental hygiene program, which starts each fall, is highly selective, so make sure all your requirements and prerequisites are met. At least 2,000 hours of dental experience is included among the selection criteria. Your curriculum involves lectures, labs and internships in dental offices or clinics. Upon completion, you'll have earned your associate's degree and can sit for the licensing examinations.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 20 months (89 credit hours)
• Tuition and Fees: $2,112 per year for residents; $6,972 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Current CPR for healthcare provider certification; general education courses
• Admission Requirements: Must take Health Occupations Basic Entrance Test; complete interview and essay; provide proof of physical and vision examination as well as current health insurance, immunizations and negative TB test, criminal background check
• School Type: 2-year, public; about 4,071 students (all undergraduate)

Pima Community College

The dental hygiene program at Pima's West campus prepares you to take the state dental hygienist licensing exam. You learn through lectures, laboratory studies and clinical education. Through the clinical experiences, you can obtain knowledge of various dental procedures, such as oral radiography, dental materials and oral morphology.

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 93.5-106.5 credit hours (including prerequisites)
• Tuition and Fees: $2,142 per year for residents; $7,458 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Biology, chemistry, math and literacy courses
• Admission Requirements: Adequate COMPASS reading score and math assessment score; proof of fingerprint clearance card; toxicology screening, current immunizations, negative TB test and health insurance
• School Type: 2-year, public; roughly 19,594 students (all undergraduate)

Dental Hygiene Bachelor's Degree Program in Arizona

Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University's bachelor's degree program in dental hygiene requires you to complete 2 years of prerequisite courses and 2 years of professional courses. In addition to classroom and lab studies, you may gain hands-on training by working on patients in the dental clinic, as well as completing a 2-week internship. NAU also offers a degree completion program for licensed dental hygienists who have an associate's degree, certificate or diploma in dental hygiene but wish to earn a bachelor's degree.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $11,564 per year for residents; $25,828 per year for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Computer proficiency, first aid and CPR certification; 40 credit hours of prerequisite course work (science and math) with grade of C or better
• Admission Requirements: Finger print clearance; current vision exam; immunization record; health insurance
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 31,066 students (27,072 undergraduate)

In Arizona, dental hygiene programs are typically offered at 2-year schools such as Mesa Community College, Mohave Community College and Pima Community College; however, Northern Arizona University offers a bachelor's program that includes an internship experience as well as prerequisite and professional studies courses.